What is corneal crosslinking?

21 October 2022

Corneal crosslinking is a treatment for an eye problem called keratoconus.

In this disease, the front part of the eye - called the cornea - thins and weakens over time. This causes it to bulge into a cone shape, which can distort and hinder vision. If keratoconus symptoms worsen, you will need a corneal transplant.

For the corneal crosslinking procedure, ophthalmologists use medication in the form of eye drops and ultraviolet (UV) light from a special machine to strengthen the corneal tissues. It is the only treatment that can prevent progressive keratoconus from worsening, and it can help avoid a corneal transplant, which is major surgery.

The procedure does not reverse corneal changes that have already occurred, but prevents them from worsening, so it is ideal to discuss the possibility of this treatment with your ophthalmologist as soon as possible after a keratoconus diagnosis.